Zach Ornitz/The Star-LedgerNew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to the graduating class of 2010 at the Seton Hall School of Law commencement ceremony, held at the Prudential Center today. Christie also graduated from the Seton Hall Law school in 1987.NEWARK— Seton Hall University School of Law debated "uninviting" him. There were rumors students would walk out when he started speaking. The faculty talked about presenting him with a letter of protest.

But when Gov. Chris Christie took the stage at Seton Hall’s law school graduation at the Prudential Center in Newark yesterday he got a surprise standing ovation. The grateful-looking governor smiled at the warm welcome, briefly set aside his prepared speech and reminisced about his law school days.

"I want to thank you today for making a 1987 graduate feel at home," Christie said.

Earlier this month, Seton Hall’s law school professors discussed canceling Christie’s keynote address to protest his controversial decision not to reappoint Associate Justice John Wallace Jr. to the state Supreme Court.

Patrick Hobbs, Seton Hall’s law school dean, turned down requests to cancel Christie’s graduation speech. At a faculty meeting on Thursday, professors proposed presenting Christie with a protest letter at the ceremony. The idea was tabled without a vote, school officials said.

None of the speakers made any mention of the controversy during yesterday’s ceremony. Instead, they ribbed Christie about his days at Seton Hall, where he had a less-than-stellar academic record.

"I had a varying degree of focus during law school and my grades sometimes reflected this," Christie said, joking his later success should serve as an inspiration to graduates with mediocre grade point averages.

It has been a challenging graduation season for the new governor, who has been criticized for proposing deep cuts to higher education funding. At Rutgers University’s commencement, he was booed when he was introduced. At Monmouth University’s ceremony, some graduates stood and turned their backs while he spoke.

Christie recycled parts of the addresses he gave at Rutgers and Monmouth, telling the 364 Seton Hall law school graduates to follow their hearts — even if it takes them into another profession.

"I wish for you the courage to walk through those doors," the governor said. "And it will take courage."

Jacob Voorhees Hudnut, the student speaker, said many of the graduates were worried about looking for a job in a troubled economy.

"We graduate from law school at an inopportune time," Hudnut said. "Even the legal profession is not bulletproof."

At the same time a half-mile away, 256 Rutgers-Newark School of Law students were picking up their degrees at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Stuart Rabner, chief justice of the state Supreme Court, delivered the convocation address.

Student speaker James Brennan 3rd said the Rutgers law school graduates have a difficult summer ahead of them as they look for jobs and study for the bar exam.

"So today, we celebrate," said Brennan, who found a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers. "We look back with fondness and we look forward with great hope. Because it’s been a long trip so far and it’s only just started."

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@starledger.com or (973) 392-5929.